Breeding mastitis-resistant cows
Selecting for disease- resistant cows has become a reality for farmers around the globe as genetic developments continue to advance.
A new dairy industry resource for managing mastitis and improving milk quality has been unveiled by DairyNZ at the New Zealand Milk Quality Conference in Hamilton.
Known as SmartSAMM, the new online resource builds on the success of the SAMM Plan (seasonal approach to managing mastitis) with updated information for today's dairy farm systems.
Senior DairyNZ scientist and technical manager for SmartSAMM Dr Jane Lacy-Hulbert, says the new resource gives dairy farmers and their advisors easy access to the complete industry-agreed knowledge about mastitis and milk quality.
"We're very pleased to be able to launch this new resource at the New Zealand Milk Quality Conference 2012. The benefits for farmers and the dairy industry are huge - improved udder health and milk quality, time savings at milking, and ultimately improved production and profit.
"For farmers, SmartSAMM provides key tools and resources to help establish if a problem exists, and if so, what to do next and how to prevent it in future. There are guidelines and key recommendations for managing mastitis during calving, lactation, drying off and the dry period.
"For advisors, the corresponding Technotes provide more of the science detail that sits behind the recommendations – we've really tried to make this an 'all-you-need-to-know' resource," says Dr Lacy-Hulbert.
The SmartSAMM project is a collaboration through NMAC (National Mastitis Advisory Committee) with stakeholders and service providers responsible for mastitis control and milk quality in New Zealand. It is funded by DairyNZ and the Ministry for Primary Industries. The source material has been adapted from Dairy Australia's Countdown Downunder and updated for New Zealand dairy farming.
The new DairyNZ SmartSAMM website is now live at www.SmartSAMM.co.nz.
Humbling, overwhelming, and an absolute honour. That’s how 2024 Fonterra Dairy Woman of the Year Katrina Roberts describes her win at the Dairy Women’s Network conference earlier this month.
Hamilton-based Dairy Goat Co-operative (DGC) is revamping its leadership in the hope of recovering from its financial doldrums.
With just over two weeks left in the 2023-24 season, all eyes will be on Fonterra's opening milk price for the new season.
Fonterra Brands' Cathy Lang has been crowned the country's best cheesemaker for the second time in three years.
James and Debbie Stewart of Dairylands in the Manawatū are no strangers to taking home the silverware.
Troubled milk processor Synlait's share price is taking a hammering as nervous investors offload their stakes.
OPINION: Not everyone will agree with former 'Minister of Everything' Stephen Joyce on his summation of Fonterra when writing recently…
OPINION: A plug is overdue for Meat the Need, who is currently fundraising to help supply more meals to families…